Smart appliances make your life easier

According to the Home Improvement Research Institute, the market for major household appliances is $23.9 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $27.1 billion by 2020.

“With consumer expectations continually changing, appliance manufacturers must be proactive in product design and produce appliances that are durable, energy efficient and easy to use,” says Greg Truex, senior director of the at-home practice at J.D. Power and Associates.

Enter a new generation of smart appliances — energy-efficient models that connect to your phone, tablet or computer, providing time and money-saving features that simplify your life — all at the touch of your fingertips.

Time-strapped parents will appreciate getting a jump start on the to-do list before even leaving the soccer field. With the click of a screen, ovens preheat, dish cycles start, dryers are turned off and refrigerator shelves are scanned.

“Today’s consumers want products that are all connected and work together, and they want things done now,” says Preston Lane, business development and marketing coordinator for Electronic Express. “I don’t see the trend toward these types of appliances slowing down.”

With kitchens at the epicenter of households across the country, Samsung introduced a revolutionary new refrigerator, The Family Hub, that allows consumers to manage groceries, connect with family and entertain — all from its 21.5 inch Wi-Fi touchscreen.

“If you can look at your phone and see inside your refrigerator while you’re at the grocery store, you don’t have to track someone down to ask them if you’re out of milk, end up with something you don’t need or have to make a second trip,” says Lane. “It saves time and money.”

In addition to The Family Hub’s three built-in cameras that link to your phone, the appliance’s full-color touchscreen allows families to skip the market altogether, find new recipes and shop online. Saving recipes, grocery lists and payment information means even quicker checkout, all from the comfort of home.

The Hub also offers several features that make entertaining a breeze. The bottom right door, called the FlexZone, converts between refrigerator and freezer based on fluctuating needs, and a triple cooling system means precise temperature and humidity is properly maintained in all three refrigerator zones, keeping food fresher longer, no matter where it is.

And where there’s food there are beverages. Hub’s Ice Master produces up to 5.3 pounds of ice per day, but its space-saving design doesn’t take away valuable refrigerator space. Another space-enhancing feature is Hub’s removable wine rack, which has three possible locations — including the FlexZone — where the temperature can be adjusted specifically for beer or wine.

Beyond cooking and eating, the modern kitchen has truly become the family gathering place. It’s the where homework gets completed, lists get made and vacations are planned. Gone are the days of magnets and sticky notes cluttering refrigerator doors. With a smart refrigerator, calendars sync up and display on the screen, changes and additions can be made remotely, and notes and reminders can be sent from your phone with apps such as Sticki. Digital photos can be uploaded and displayed on the home screen in a matter of seconds.

And as the day winds down, there’s nothing like a little dinner music to set the mood. Whether you’re cooking for one, a family of four, a table of 10 or just relaxing with a cold beverage, Family Hub’s built-in speakers mean you can discover new music or stream your favorites from Pandora or TuneIn Radio; your Samsung TV can even wirelessly mirror your favorite shows to the Hub’s vibrant screen.

“There are so many features on these new appliances, and that’s why our entire sales team is educated by the manufacturer and takes the time to really describe each product’s features and benefits,” says Lane. “Whether you’re walking in the door for the first time or you’ve had your refrigerator for six months, we pride ourselves on being available for any questions you may have to ensure you can take full advantage of what your smart appliance has to offer.”